Tragedy struck a Netreg family this week when a massive swarm of bees attacked their pets, resulting in the death of one dog.
After living peacefully with the bees for more than 20 years, oupa Moegamat Alexander, 60, risked his own life to save the two dogs.
Daughter Yumna Alexander, 35, says during the horrific incident on Sunday, they discovered a large beehive inside one of the walls of her dad’s home, believed to date back to the 1980s.
“My father has lived in the house for over 20 years and there were always bees but they never bothered anyone,” says Yumna.
“We have two dogs in the yard and the oldest is my husky named Jimmy, who is 12 years old. The other is a pit bull named Bonzo that belongs to my brother.
“Many years ago, Jimmy was attacked by a pit bull and had become aggressive, so to safeguard him, as the yard is not secure, we kept him on a leash.”
She says on Sunday her father got a skrik when worried neighbours came knocking on his door ,saying the bees suddenly went berserk and started attacking the dogs.
“He put on a jacket and ran to cut them loose to get them to a place of safety,” says Yumna.
“I rushed there and had to watch from my car because the bees were everywhere. Bonzo didn’t even make it to the vet as he died and Jimmy had a severe allergic reaction.
“We were so shocked when the beekeeper came the next day and we had to knock 40 bricks loose. He discovered a massive beehive and relocated the bees and their queen.
“We are very sad at the unfortunate death of Bonzo, this is not something we expected as we had no idea there was a beehive and they had never attacked anyone.
“We still don’t know why they suddenly became aggressive.”
Beekeeper Thabo Mbaba from Workaholic Bees says: “I have been a beekeeper for 12 years and this was one of the biggest I have ever seen.
“It is not clear why the bees attacked at all. I estimated there were about 5000 bees in that hive.”
Animal Welfare Society (AWS) spokesperson, Allan Perrins, confirms Jimmy was attended to by their vets.
He says about three months ago, a large swarm of honeybees attacked and killed 63 endangered African penguins from the Boulders Beach colony.
“With bees, your most primal instinct to run is always the right one. (But) please never harm or kill bees. They fulfill a vital role in the circle of life.”
“They fulfil a vital role in the circle of life.”
monique.duval@inl.co.za